Supporting those at risk from gang association during COVID-19

Jennette Arnold: Social distancing means that those at risk of gang association are less easily able to access the help and support they need. How is the Violence Reduction Unit working with local councils to plug this gap?

The Mayor: The VRU has engaged with all 32 Local Authorities (LA) and provided flexibility for VRU-funded projects. We have provided a broad set of principles that enable LAs to alter service provision during lockdown/social distancing to better meet the current needs and gaps locally. We have reinforced our continued focus on vulnerable young people and our place-based approach to reducing violence.
Cognisant of increased pressures on vulnerable young people and their parents/carers since lockdown began, we have approved an increase in trauma-informed training for our Youth Practitioner’s Leadership Programme. With Camden and Islington’s public health team, we’ve also approved increased mental health support for families living in two hotspots for gang-related activity.
MOPAC has also worked closely with providers and LAs in response to their funded London Gang Exit programme to better meet the needs of vulnerable young people at this time where engagement routes need to be revised and refreshed.